I have a ten year-old Kenmore dryer, model 417.80042990. I have always used the automatic dry timer, setting it to "regular" and letting it do its thing. Lately, at the end of the cycle, the clothes are damp. Today, I went to get clothes out at the end of the dry cycle, found them damp again, set the timer back to "regular" and stood and watched. Miraculously, instead of advancing, the timer dial moved in reverse. So instead of going Forward through an entire dry cycle, it's going from "regular" to "towels" to "off". Meaning the dial is going in the wrong direction, counter-clockwise.

I switched it to timed dry and that seems to work properly, but now I am a little freaked out am pretty sure the dryer will inevitably burn my house down.

Why is the dryer operating in reverse? And can we fix it or is it now a lawn ornament?

its pretty much impossible for the timer to operate backwards especially if the timed dry is going in the right direction. are you sure you have just never payed attention how the auto cycle advances?

If you insist that its going backwards the you will need a new timer.

The problem with the clothes still being damp would be a different issue. Most likely you have a vent restriction of some type...need to check from the dryers lint filter housing all the way to the exhaust hood outside of your home for lint build up. If you have flexible venting behind the unit ensure that it's not crimped as well.

I spoke too soon-the timed dry isn't working right either. Which at least makes sense.

The timer dial is definitely moving backwards, as impossible as it may be. There are only 2 "off" positions, one at 12:00 and one at 6:00. Auto dry starts at 7:00 and turns off at 12:00, but lately, at the end of its cycle, it's pointed at the 6:00 off. I assumed my kids were messing with it until I saw with my very own eyes that the dial was moving backwards. If something impossible is going to happen to me, why can't I win the Powerball instead?

Thank you for your help! I'll order up the new timer and check out the venting.

check your polarity... i wonder if the line and neutral got reversed, that it would cause your timer motor to operate in reverse... first i have heard of this issue but give it a shot. on your outlet, you should see 3 holes. 1 large slot, 1 smaller slot and 1 rounded hole.

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rhymenoceros wrote: There are only 2 "off" positions, one at 12:00 and one at 6:00. Auto dry starts at 7:00 and turns off at 12:00, but lately, at the end of its cycle, it's pointed at the 6:00 off.

So, have you actually seen the knob moving in the backwards direction, or is it possible that the knob just continues around past 12:00 and continues to 6:00 in a clockwise direction and then shuts off